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Originally Posted by Tim
Can we speak about God's benevolence as love (agape) even when shown to the reprobate? Obviously, this would have to be distinguished from the saving love that He has for His elect. Personally, I would answer "yes" to the question. Thoughts?
I personally think not. grin Is there any text that specifically states that God has a universal love for all mankind, i.e., for every man, woman and child without exception? Over the years some have offered the following three texts for supporting their view that God loves all, albeit not necessarily salvifically:

1.
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John 3:16 (ASV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
This is without doubt the most quoted text to support the universal love view. The word 'love', in the Greek is agapaw, which is claimed to always mean an unreserved, sacrificial love, etc. However, the CONTEXT of this verse actually teaches anything but what it is so often claimed to teach; a universal love of God for all mankind without exception and the free will of man to choose salvation. I have several times here exegeted this text so I won't do it again, but in a nutshell, the passage says, "For God loved the world in this manner, sending the only begotten Son into the world in order to save the elect in all the world so that they would not perish." The definition, understanding of the word "world" is where the focus should be, not on the word 'love'. Here are but a couple of articles available on The Highway which deal with John 3:16 in detail:

- The 'World' of John 3:16 Does Not Mean 'All Men Without Exception'
- An Exposition of John 3:16 (John Owen)

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Matthew 5:43-48 (KJV) Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
If one is honest, it has to be admitted that no where in this passage does it specifically state that God loves all men without exception. What it does say, however, is that God is perfect and we (Christians) are to be likewise perfect. And how is this perfection to be expressed in this case? It is to be benevolent to all men as God is benevolent to all men through His providential care, etc.

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Titus 3:4 (KJV) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
The problem here is the translation. The word 'love' in the Greek is philanthropia, i.e., benevolence, kindness which, e.g., the ASV translates: (ASV) "But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared,". Thus, this text is immediately proven to be inconsequential and offers no support for a universal love of God to all mankind without exception.

Actually, all that needs to be shown to refute the universal love of God view is but one text that says otherwise. And, there is more than one text that does just that. And secondly, one can come to understand God's relation to fallen mankind by the record of how He deals with them historically; destruction, wrath, etc. So, here are a few texts that clearly show that God does NOT love all mankind without exception:

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Psalms 5:4-6 (ASV) "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: Evil shall not sojourn with thee. The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Thou wilt destroy them that speak lies: Jehovah abhorreth the blood-thirsty and deceitful man."

Psalms 11:4-6 (ASV) "Jehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, his throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. Jehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup."

Proverbs 6:16-19 (ASV) "There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren."

Romans 9:8-13 (ASV) "That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac-- for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (cf. Mal. 1:2-5)

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